Washing....

[dogluver4]

Hi there!


I just wanted to get some advice on bathing cats. I know most hate water.

But then I know people do bathe their cats.

Any advice on how to and what shampoo is best please?


Thanks in advance!

Lauren

[Tamarsh]

I used to have a British Shorthair who used to get in the shower with me.

[KatzNK9]

First ... if we're dealing with an adult cat who isn't used to bathing, I'd have a helper on hand. Four hands are better than one. Have plenty of towels on hand & have all your supplies within reach.

Rule #1: Trim the cat's claws first (thus, removing all lethal;) weapons). I suggest trimming claws the day before a bath so there's not as much stress in the whole ordeal.

Rule #2: Thoroughly brush out the cat's coat (especially on longhairs & make sure there are no mats). This will remove all the loose, dead hairs & less to wash is less to rinse & dry.

I do all my cat bathing in the kitchen sink. I fill the sink with about 5 inches of warm water while the cat isn't looking & then, calmly & gently place the cat in the sink while the water isn't running. I use a large plastic cup to thoroughly wet the cat down. Suds (with a cat safe & approved shampoo) all areas except the face (cats will keep their own faces clean ... no need to assist) & attempt to keep water out of the ears. Rinse well. If you have trouble removing the soap or just want to make doubly sure, make a mixture of water with a little bit of white vinegar to quiclkly cut the soap. After that, I usually apply a good conditioner (this also gets rid of the vinegar smell immediately in addition to conditioning the coat).

Rule #3: Rinse well. Then rinse again & again & again until you're sure you've rinsed the cat thoroughly.

Rule #4: Rinse again ... you just think you got everything out the last time you were sure ... so, just do it ... rinse again.:p

Remove the excess water from the cat & then towel dry for a few minutes & make sure there's no water in ears.

Longhairs ... I use a flat metal comb to make sure the fur doesn't mat & blow dry on medium heat until completely dry (don't forget the tummy!). When the cat is almost dry, I switch to a brush to fluff up the coats & continue with that until the cat is completely dry.

Shorthairs ... just about any soft brush will do ... blow dry on medium heat too.

If your cat fears the blow dryer, turn it on at a distance & slowly get closer with it. If your cat goes ballistic, I'd put the cat in a carrier in a warm room & blow dry from outside the carrier. Blow dry for awhile, take the cat out & comb out some more & then back in the carrier for more blow drying ... repeat as necessary to make sure there is no matting & the cat gets completely dry.

Hope this helps.

[dogluver4]

Thank you!

That helped alot!

Do yall prefer a certain shampoo and conditioner?


And is de-clawing a cat ideal if it is only an inside cat?

Thanks!

[KatzNK9]

I think the practice of declawing is HORRIFIC ... I would never allow it on my cats. Inhumane practice ... period.

I use many different shampoos and conditioners based on the type of show coat ... but I guess I'd recommend Biogroom & F1R2 products as I've used them the most & pretty much consider them all purpose.

[Sabledog]

de clawing is a very painfull and torturous procedure, the littereally rip out the entire claw down to the bone its attached to (most vets do NOT give pain meds) its like pulling off your entire fingernail on each finger, there is nothing ethical or necissary about it. they make a great product now that keep those sharp claws at bay for indoor cats they are called soft claws its like a little rubber cover you glue onto each claw and after about a month they come off and you put new ones on, a MUCH better thing to do than to de claw a cat!!!! and they come in all kinds of cute colors!!!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=2975&N=2002+113036

[dogluver4]

OMG! Those are totally cute!

Thanks for he link!

Do you think you could purchase them a local pet store?

[Sabledog]

yes they can be bought at petstores and i beleive some vets are starting to sell them, but i do know petsmart usually has them on the shelves. i love the hot pink ones!!!!

[dogluver4]

yes they can be bought at petstores and i beleive some vets are starting to sell them, but i do know petsmart usually has them on the shelves. i love the hot pink ones!!!!


Really? Yeah I wanted the same colors:D

[devonjules]

Reading Katz advice re using a blowdryer reminded me of an incident with an old stray tom cat that I took in as a kid. He was in a pretty bad way and he absolutely stank. There was no way my mum was going to have him come in the kitchen without being cleaned up so I had to give him a bath. He was as good as gold, took it all really well considering he was very stressed and had had such a bad time. Afterwards I sat him on my lap and very carefully started to dry him with the blowdryer on a very low heat and a good distance away. He seemed to be doing ok when I gradually realised that my lap was getting VERY warm. I looked down and he had peed allover me. Mmm tom cat pee. And I though he had smelt bad!! :D

[KatzNK9]

they are called soft claws its like a little rubber cover you glue onto each claw and after about a month they come off and you put new ones on, a MUCH better thing to do than to de claw a cat!!!! and they come in all kinds of cute colors!!!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=2975&N=2002+113036

I've never tried these personally but I know several others who have with mixed results. If you can get them to stay on they work really well (and, admittedly, those colors are too darned cute). Some cats object to them & will stop at nothing until they've removed them. You still have to keep the claws fairly short to use these tips (nail has to be short enough for them to fit).

I suggest working toward getting your cat used to claw trims & doing that every couple of weeks. It isn't as stylish, but it is likely easier to deal with in the long run & since you have to keep the claws short to put those things on, you might as well just do a slightly shorter nail trim.

I do know people who swear by those nail tips, so it is a good idea for some cat owners if the cat cooperates & keeps them in place.

Afterwards I sat him on my lap and very carefully started to dry him with the blowdryer on a very low heat and a good distance away. He seemed to be doing ok when I gradually realised that my lap was getting VERY warm. I looked down and he had peed allover me. Mmm tom cat pee. And I though he had smelt bad!! :D

LOL, that has happened to me many times.:sicksmiley: Ah, yes ... one of those unfortunate incidents that just comes with the territory. Was he smiling at the time?:eek: